Crowning glory in the offing for Macc
ARESULT on Saturday against Cumbrian visitors Penrith will put Macclesfield back into the fourth tier, National Two rugby; it would be a welcome return after five years in the fifth tier.
Macclesfield could have made an early return, but for Covid 19 putting a premature end to the season. The RFU applied a computation for the remaining games that took no account of form, denying the team of promotion.
When rugby finally returned, post Covid, several of that team moved on, or retired, with the squad then having a very young look about it.
It was the worst seasons for injuries – at one stage head coach Andy Appelyard was close to conceding a game as we were without a front row.
The following season, 22/23 did not start well, resulting in changes to the coaching team, but in October 22 Macc turned the corner with a lastgasp win away at Stockport.
It didn’t go all their own way from then, but by the end of the season Macclesfield were the in-form team in the league, beating Lymm on their 4G pitch, the first team to do so in two seasons. They also won the Cheshire Cup, and in May beat Maidenhead at Sixways to win the Papa John’s Cup Plate Competition. By this time the squad was in the sole hands of coach Darren Lamond, and playing a brand of rugby that was a joy to watch.
Several new players had joined the squad, adding experience in key areas. The form and style of rugby then brought players back to the Club; Tom Morton returning from Sandbach and Ollie Longmore from Sale FC, with Harry Blackwell back from university, plus John O’Donnell and Sam Adu from Sale FC.
With Rhys Davies and Terence Babarinsa committing themselves to Macclesfield and Tommy Taylor joining as assistant coach for defence and breakdown, the squad was set to challenge for the league.
Macclesfield’s form continued into this season, winning the first seven games with bonus points. It all came to a crashing halt against Rossendale.
Perhaps some of the players were star-struck, but their internationals were able to amass an early lead that we could not claw back.
A further eight bonuspoint wins would follow until the Rossendale return challenge.
The game was the most attritional seen by many Macclesfield supporters with neither side prepared to give-an-inch; the
bonus-point draw was a fitting result.
It was now a two-horse race until Stockport managed to turnover a weakened and ill-disciplined Rossendale team, putting Macclesfield in the boxseat.
Macclesfield have every right to now go into the
last game of the season confident of a win, why shouldn’t they? Besides the two games against Rossendale, they have won every game with a bonus-point.
But the confidence will be tempered with a realism that any team can be beaten, if you’re not 100
per cent up for the game.
The Easter break has given the boys a day’s rest from training while they were without a match last Saturday – but this week will be full-on, with two sessions and a game plan to ensure victory and promotion.
The other side of the
coin is Penrith, they will be looking to play their part in the contest, and the importance in coming with a real fight to topple the league leaders – it’s what the game deserves.
It will be a very big day at Priory Park, 180 of the Macclesfield faithful will be in attendance at the
President’s Lunch before the game.
Speaking at the lunch will be ex-England Captain Dylan Hartley, who will present the winner’s trophy, should Macclesfield be fortunate enough to succeed.
Any kind of scoring result will be sufficient, bar a loss, and although Macclesfield will show Penrith utter respect, it is difficult to visualise them being beaten.
They are solid in the set pieces with a structured defence that can absorb considerable pressure, and when they pull the trigger, which can be from anywhere, they can put together rapid phases that will open up a defensive line.
There are no weaknesses in the squad; as such selection for Saturday will be difficult, as it has been all season.
It will be a day to remember, so get there early to soak up the atmosphere, parking may be difficult as there is also a fair on site, but there are arrangements to park also at Fallibroome School, kick-off is the usual 3.00pm – be as loud as you like!